News Release

HighChem Co., Ltd. (HighChem) is poised to accelerate the global expansion of its sustainable fiber initiative by unveiling its corn-derived polylactic acid (PLA) fiber, known as "HIGHLACT®," at the esteemed international yarn and textile exhibition, "The 60th edition of Filo." The event is scheduled to take place on September 20-21, 2023, at Allianz MiCo in Milan.

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Since 2020, HighChem has been focusing on market development and high-performance PLA (polylactic acid), which is the Corn-derived biodegradable plastic. In addition, in 2021, we announced PLA fiber under our own brand "HIGHLACT® (HIGHLACT®)" and have been working to popularize it as a new Sustainable Materials.

Currently, sustainability is emphasized throughout the textile industry, especially in Europe, and there is an urgent need for sustainable manufacturing and environmental considerations. In this environment, PLA fiber is attracting attention as a new sustainable fiber advocated by Japan.

On the other hand, PLA fibers have problems such as being more vulnerable to heat than conventional petroleum-derived fibers, and it has been difficult to develop them in fashion. In response to these challenges, HighChem has achieved a number of breakthroughs by combining its knowledge in a wide range of chemical fields with the technical capabilities of traditional textile manufacturers in Japan. In the future, we plan to expand globally based on these innovative products, and starting with our exhibition at Filo, we would like to raise the awareness of HIGHLACT® in Europe and work to spread PLA fibers worldwide.

Exhibition contents

During the exhibition, we will showcase the latest HIGHLACT® collection: ‘polylactic acid’ (PLA) fibers, including 100% PLA, as well as blends with cotton and Tencel™ in spun yarn, 100% PLA filament yarn, and knit yarn. Additionally, we proudly present our recent breakthrough: PLA 100% filament knit fabrics in a formal black shade. This formal black coloration, previously considered challenging with PLA, has been achieved through a collaborative effort with Japanese textile craftmanship, enabling the expression of deep and rich colors.

HIGHLACT® is a polylactic acid (PLA) fiber derived from corn. HighChem has successfully combined its broad chemical knowledge with the high technical capabilities of Japan's traditional textile manufacturers to create PLA fibers. Our breakthroughs include successful deep dyeing of 100% PLA filament yarns. These technological advancements have earned high praise from domestic and international fashion brands and are widely used in collection brands. HIGHLACT® has also achieved the international standard OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certifications for textiles and leather.

HighChem Co., Ltd. is a Japanese chemical company, facilitating chemical trading, manufacturing, and development globally. We are at the forefront of innovative materials such as biodegradables, with a strong emphasis on carbon recycling based on C1 chemistry, and notable proficiency in catalyst manufacturing and distribution. Since 2021, we have ventured into the apparel industry with a specific focus on biodegradable materials. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have developed polylactic acid (PLA) as a pivotal solution. Our brand, HIGHLACT®, is a corn-basedPLA combined with specialized agents, having distinctive functionalities of (1) compost-compatible biodegradability, (2) CO2 reduction through photosynthesis, and (3) inherent antibacterial properties without any additional chemical agents.

Media inquiries regarding this release
HighChem Co., Ltd. PR Division – Eriko Kuroiwa
E-mail: kuroiwa@highchem.co.jp Phone: +81-3-5251-8580 / +81-90-6539-4213 (Kuroiwa)